Some writers need complete silence. Some can’t write unless they listen to music. Music can create various moods.

I go back and forth – sometimes I listen to classical music as I am writing. Sometimes I use various songs in various scenes that help me get deep into the character’s head. Sometimes when I need to finish a book, I listen to fast music to keep me typing.

Here are ways music can help you in your writing:

Gets you started

Find a song that grounds you – one that makes you want to write. Sit in the chair and play that song when you are ready to type. For me – this is classical music. It calms me. Centers me. Helps me focus.

Tap into your emotions

Remember when you were sad, you used to listen to sad songs to help you let it all out. If you are feeling tapped or can’t seem to get that love scene right, maybe you can’t muster up enough inspiration for an action scene – try music. Pick a song that gets you feeling. Alice Peacock and Susan Tedescki does this for me. They have songs that just get to me every time. It may help you tap into those emotions that may be hard to reach on a daily basis.

Brainstorming ideas

Sometimes if I am in carpool or working around the house or running, music helps me brainstorm or process my book ideas. I think it comes down to what inspires you, what makes you feel a certain way, or what kind of book/scene you are processing/brainstorming. For me, I pick something like David Gray or Jason Miraz.

Moves you past writer’s block

Music might help you if you are struggling with writer's block. Various songs may just be the muse you need. If you need some action or excitement, try some fast pace songs. For me, this may be some popular pop songs like One Republic or Justin Timberlake.

Puts you in a mood for a scene/chapter

If I am writing a really big love scene, I may choose something that gets my heart beating. For me, this is Ed Sheeran. Or if I need something really sad, maybe Cat Powers or Adele. If I am writing an action scene, I may use a little Timbaland, Muse, or Eminem.

Gives you a book soundtrack

Combine all the songs that help you write various scenes and chapters. Now you have a playlist. This can be used to write daily or it can be an extra for your readers when your book comes out.

Do you write to music? If so – what kind? Do you have a favorite band/group/artist that you write to more than others?

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16 comments:

I agree! I think instrumental music is great to have on in the background while you're writing from classical to movie soundtracks. Sometimes I get distracted when listening to songs with lyrics but you can really get your brain in the right frame of mind by listening to the right music while typing :-)

I love music, but rarely listen to any when I'm trying to write, because I have a tendency to get too caught up in it. Next thing I'd know, I'd be "conducting," singing along, or "playing the drums" on my desk. (Yeah, I'm hopeless.)

Yes I love writing to music. So much each project I'm working on has its own sound track. That said, I also have playlists of songs that make my muse sit on attention even though I can't pin down where the songs fit in.

And then I have separate playlists for Muse, Leonard Cohen and Loreena McKennitt.

I don't listen to music while I write, but I have a playlist for each story! Songs are associated to characters in my mind. Seven Deadly Sins by Flogging Molly is my main character. Dark Horse by Katy Perry is my novella's POV character.

I haven't listened to music while writing for awhile now. But I totally have songs that inspire me and make me think about my stories whenever I hear them. Which then makes me want to write, but, of course, I'm usually in the car when I hear them, so that doesn't work! =)

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I am the author of COLORS LIKE MEMORIES, THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE, and SURRENDER THE SKY, AN ABSENCE OF LIGHT, and TRAVELERS! In the real world I do my best to teach students about the awesomeness that is anthropology. I also sequence dead people's DNA (for fun!).